Projects across the country protect and improve the health of local marine and coastal environments

Eight groups from all Australian states were awarded a 2019 Coca-Cola Foundation and Landcare Australia Coastal Protection Grant of up to $15,000 each.

The grants focus on coastal projects that protect and improve the health of local marine and coastal environments. Successful grant recipient projects range from Bulimba Creek Catchment Coordinating Committee’s Doboy Wetlands and Aquarium Passage Recovery in Queensland to the Friends of North Ocean Reef-Iluka Foreshore’s Rehabilitation of Eroded Coastline in Western Australia.

Read about all eight 2019 Coca-Cola Foundation and Landcare Australia Coastal Protection Grant projects.

Being awarded a 2019 Coca-Cola Foundation and Landcare Australia Coastal Protection Grant is enabling Bushlink to expand its work done with a 2018 grant to protect and improve the health of Dee Why Lagoon and Freshwater Dunes in New South Wales, by carrying out bush regeneration and litter regeneration on both sites.

These projects and those from the 2018 grants round (see below) help increase the profile of Coastcare and community groups through on-ground activities, community education and events.

The first round of Coca-Cola Foundation and Landcare Australia Coastal Protection Grants was launched in 2018 when seven coastal protection projects in three states were funded. This program stems from Coca-Cola’s World Without Waste vision.

Friends of North Ocean Reef-Iluka Foreshore Rehabilitation of eroded coast line at Iluka are using their 2019 Coca-Cola Foundation and Landcare Australia Coastal Protection Grant for the rehabilitation of eroded coastline in Western Australia.

2018 projects produce inspiring outcomes

Results from the 2018 Coca-Cola Foundation and Landcare Australia Coastal Protection projects are in and the outcomes are inspiring.

Project results show improvements in marine water quality and habitats through a reduction in the amount of litter and pollution entering the marine environment. The seven groups undertook a diverse range of coastal projects covering 35kms of coastline and targeting 20 locations.

In Dee Why Dunes located in New South Wales, 450 tubestock were planted with a variety of indigenous dune species to help build the diversity of the dunes and improve resilience of the ecosystem. Once the tubestock is more established and matures, the revegetated area will also help improve the dune’s resilience to wind and water erosion.

Rubbish collection at the Dee Why and Freshwater sites resulted in less debris making its way either into or returning to the ocean; and has minimised the amount within the dunes which could affect fauna and subsequent ecosystems.

The project undertaken by Southern Otway Landcare Network (VIC) has helped contribute to environmental restoration works in the Wye River township following the devastating 2015 Christmas Day bushfires. The site is immediately adjacent to the National Heritage Listed Great Ocean Road.

Read about individual projects and outcomes undertaken by recipients of 2018 Coca-Cola Foundation and Landcare Australia Coastal Protection Grants.